The Swiss Army Knife of Small-Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

Record guitar, drums, and a variety of other acoustic instruments with the versatile RODE NT5. The NT5's compact profile makes it great for situations where space is at a premium, yet its small size belies its serious workhorse microphone technology under the hood. You'll be amazed at the level of detail this little mic captures.

Focused Pickup Pattern, Full Frequency Spectrum

The NT5's 1/2" small-diaphragm capsule employs a tight cardioid pickup pattern that's great for capturing drum cymbals, violins, acoustic guitars, and saxophones. It responds to the full audible spectrum, with a nice open response in the mids and a gentle slope to bring out sparkling highs.

This video by RODE shows how the NT5 works well for recording drums:

High-End Components For Low Noise

Inside of its heavy-duty satin nickel plated body, the NT5 features an externally biased condenser, a gold sputtered capsule, and surface mount circuitry. These components combine to provide astounding clarity and virtually no noise.

See how the NT5 can be used to record guitars in this video from RODE:

Great in Tandem

One of the most common applications for the NT5 is to use a pair as overhead drum mics in order to fully capture the sizzle and decay of cymbals. The results are also quite pleasing when using two NT5s to capture acoustic guitar.

A Do-It-All Small-Diaphragm Condenser

Whether you're recording a guitar track, filling out the drum mic set-up, or capturing audio during filmmaking, the RODE NT5 produces exceptional sound quality at a great price point.

Rode NT5 Condenser Microphone

The Rode NT5 is a condenser microphone specifically designed for instruments including guitar, saxophone, drums, violin, and many others. Its design allows for tight positioning where small mics are most useful.

Finished in durable satin nickel, the NT5 is intended for either single or stereo X/Y mic set-ups. The NT5 matched pairs come supplied in a custom carry case with windshields and mounts.

zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
"Great mic for the price"

Sound:
I recently purchased the NT5 pair before Rode's price jump in November. I also had the chance to do a "shoot out" with the NT5 and 6 other mics (TLM 103, Pro 37r, AT 4033, SM 81, AKG 414, AKG 451). The results were quite surprising. The output on the 103, the 4033, and the NT5 were very similar. The NT5 was a little less hot, but had a higher output than all the other mics. As for noise, I found that the NT5 had a little more noise than the 4033, and the 103. As far as frequency response, the NT5 was very similar to the 451. There was a nice high end presence that added clarity and brightness to the sound.
Feature:
Would be nice to have a bass rolloff, but that's what filters are for. Would be nice to have a pad, the output is fairly hot.
Value:
After doing the shoot out, I realized that for $300.00 a pair, the quality was outstanding. It held up to the 414, the 103, and the 4033, qutie nice for a fraction of the cost.

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This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
"living stereo at it's best!!"

Sound:
Crystal clear and in a wonderful presence! I use these mics for live to two track stereo recording. I record both vocals and acoustic guitar all in one unit stereo right and left. These little microphones have a substantial and and exacting vocal presence that is not logical for small condensors and the most balanced sound on acoustic guitar I have ever heard.
Feature:
great mounts but a shockmounts for a bit more money would have been even better
Value:
get them before someone at Rode figures out what they are really worth
Manufacturer Support:
have not needed them
The Wow Factor:
beautiful little mics

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